Another great night of harness racing action coming from Gloucester Park this Thursday, the 18th of April! Trent Orwin is back to preview all 10 races on the card and give his betting tips below!
Gloucester Park Harness Tips
Race 1 (7:24pm AEST)
Warfare has won both starts since arriving from Victoria, including a 1:53.6 victory over this trip. He then had a very easy time over the 2536m to record a slow 2:00.7 win at $1.20 odds. Better Scoot draws barrier one and I am not entirely sure how quick his gate speed is as they haven’t had to use it that often. Back To The Beach, Warfare and Thereugo can all run the gate, with the latter one of the fastest beginners in WA. Winning form is good form and Warfare should prove hard to beat whether he can cross at the start or potentially get cover in the moving line. Mighty Flying Deal is the knockout chance if they go too hard. Happy with $2.10 or better for Warfare.
Race 2 (7:54pm AEST)
Luis Alberto will be trying for an all-the-way win and his biggest test may be the first 150m of the race. If he can lead then he will take a power of beating; the horse once-likened to Tom Melbourne from the thoroughbred world has been on a crusade to change everyone’s opinion, and he has well and truly done that with five wins from his past nine starts. Our Alfie Romeo looks next best ahead of Kimani and Vincenzo Peruggia. Luis Alberto looks a $1.65 chance in the race.
Race 3 (8:22pm AEST)
Highroller Joe will be looking to find the lead over the 1730m and the three horses that have drawn inside him aren’t quick, so he has a reasonable chance of hitting the rail. He should have enough gate speed to hold out Dominate The Dojo also. A last-start winner in 1:57.0 over the 2130m, the race was run at a strong tempo and Highroller Joe was just able to win. He should take some catching if he leads. Fanci A Dance is the class runner with Highroller Joe; he is first up from a spell and has barrier eight. Happy with $2.20 or better for Highroller Joe.
Race 4 (8:54pm AEST)
Another WA Oaks Prelude (2130m) that features leading contender Dracarys taking on Balcatherine. The barrier draw has likely decided this race with Dracarys looking the winner. Happy to sit back and watch as she is $1.40.
No bet
Race 5 (9:24pm AEST)
Kiwi Legend flew out to lead all-the-way at big odds last week over the 1730m in 1:54.0. The last half was run in 55.5 seconds and Kiwi Legend was able to repel Caviar Star and The Bucket List. He steps up to the 2130m which brings others into the race. I am happy to go with Kiwi Legend though because he should find the lead once again and they will have to run him down. Whozideawasthis and Herrick Roosevelt have strong claims. Vultan Tin cannot be dismissed over 2130m or longer from a wider draw. Always Arjay is also a winning chance. Happy to take $3.70 or better for Kiwi Legend.
Race 6 (10:00pm AEST)
Soho Wonder is racing well at present for trainer Brett Smith who jumps back in the cart. Barrier one looks good as the 8YO gelding can either attempt to lead throughout or take a sit on Just Bet On Black and hope to run him down in the home straight. Three duck eggs have been followed up by a second and third, both over 2536m. He drew poorly in both of those and the good draw could see him return to the winner’s circle for just the third time this season. Just Bet On Black also has strong claims. Liberty Rose, Livura and Hasani are the other key chances with a blowout hope to Jaxon Fella. I’m happy with $3.60 or better for Soho Wonder.
Race 7 (10:30pm AEST)
A tricky race to assess so I am happy to back one at huge odds from barrier 10. This means that Baptism Of Fire will trail Marquisard in the race and he is the likely leader after a narrow second last week. Baptism Of Fire is best known as a frontrunner but racing behind the leader is the next best position for him and the place price in particular is very appealing. The market is giving him no respect at $81/$11, and I have marked him the same win price as he is for the place at $11. There are plenty of chances in the race which means the 9YO gelding will have to be good in order to finish in the money but he shouldn’t be far away. I’d also have something on Warriors Code if you get $5.50 or better.
Race 8 (10:58pm AEST)
This is the main event of the evening. The Group 2 Easter Cup held over 2902m and run under standing-start conditions. Star 4YO gelding Mighty Conqueror begins off a 20m handicap, which is actually a 10m handicap as the front line all begin off 10m. His main adversary will be Caviar Star off 30m. Caviar Star was runner up in a FFA last week when racing outside of Kiwi Legend in 1:54.0. Giving Mighty Conqueror a headstart will not be easy but that horse doesn’t always have the best manners in stands and has galloped numerous times recently; he generally still beats the inferior opposition that he faces. He won’t want to gallop against this company because Caviar Star, Sarah Goody and As Happy As Larry will make him pay if he does. Caviar Star is backable at $4.40 in the race and I have assessed him as a $3.30 chance.
Race 9 (11:30pm AEST)
A highly-competitive 3YO race that should see either Walsh or Back In Twenty leading with Know When To Run or Bletchley Park racing outside of the leader. I’m happy to support Back In Twenty who will most likely be able to wrestle the lead away from Walsh who has really stepped up recently and races well with a sit. Back In Twenty was impressive last time in easier company when running a 35.6 lead time and still finishing off in 28.3 and 28.6. Dylan Egerton-Green has driven the 3YO colt at his past two starts and he should give him every possible chance to win. Bletchley Park is the class horse and has strong claims. Walsh will get a good run either way. Know When To Run and Ana Afreet round out the chances.
No bet
Race 10 (12:05am AEST)
The final race doesn’t interest me with Cott Beach at $1.20 from barrier one. She looks the winner on paper and happy to stay out.
No bet
